After a baby is born, the placenta, or afterbirth, is often seen as a forgotten part of the birthing process. But what do hospitals do with the placenta after birth? There are a variety of options available, depending on the hospital and the parent’s wishes. For example, some hospitals offer the option to take the placenta home, while others may choose to bury or cremate it. Other methods include donating the placenta to research or having it processed into a placenta capsule. Each option has its own unique benefits and implications, and it’s important to do your research on the subject before making a decision. In this article, we’ll explore the different options for what to do with the placenta after birth, and provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

What Do Hospitals Do With Placenta After Birth?

After the baby is born, the placenta is usually examined for any abnormalities. If everything looks normal, the hospital will release it to the parents. The placenta is typically placed in a biohazard bag and refrigerated or frozen until the parents can take it home. Some hospitals offer to encapsulate the placenta for the parents, which means they will dehydrate and powder it so that it can be taken as a supplement.

Options For What To Do With The Placenta

1. Take It Home:

The most common option is to take the placenta home with you. This allows you to have complete control over what happens to it.

2. Donate It:

Some hospitals allow you to donate the placenta for medical research or for use in stem cell research.

3. Bury It:

Some hospitals allow parents to bury their placenta in a cemetery or at home, although this may be subject to local regulations and laws.

4. Cremate It:

Many hospitals offer the option of creating the placenta, which can be a meaningful way of honoring its life-giving properties and preserving its memory.

5. Compost It:

Composting is another option for what to do with the placenta after birth, as it will eventually break down into soil that can nourish plants and help them grow.

6. Have It Processed:

Placenta encapsulation is becoming increasingly popular, as it allows the placenta to be consumed as a supplement or ingested in other ways. The process involves dehydrating and powdering the placenta, then encapsulating it into capsules for easy consumption.

What To Do With The Placenta

1. Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta encapsulation involves steaming the placenta, dehydrating it, and grinding it into a fine powder. This powder is then put into capsules that are usually taken orally to be used as a daily source of nutrients and hormones. Advantages of placenta encapsulation include being a convenient and easy way of getting the benefits of the placenta without having to consume the actual organ. It is also relatively inexpensive compared to other options, as it can be done in your own home. Disadvantages include that it is not regulated by the FDA and can be difficult to find a practitioner if you choose to encapsulate it yourself.

2. Placenta Tinctures

A placenta tincture is made by steeping the placenta in a liquid, most commonly water or alcohol. The tincture is then put into a bottle and stored in a dark place until ready to use. Tinctures are usually taken orally and used to treat a wide range of health issues. Tinctures can be applied topically as well, making them a great option for treating scars and stretch marks. With a placenta tincture, you can choose the number of herbs you want to use and what herbs you want to use, allowing you to customize the effects. Disadvantages of a placenta tincture include the fact that it must be kept in a dark place and you must remember to take it daily.

3. Placenta Smoothies

Placenta smoothies are made by blending together the placenta and other ingredients such as fruits or vegetables. Often, a placenta smoothie is used as a daily source of nutrients and as a way to replace lost iron and help with postpartum healing. It can also be used to treat certain health issues, including postpartum depression. Disadvantages of placenta smoothies include that they are not regulated and can be difficult to find someone to do them.

4. Placenta Homeopathic Remedies

Placenta homeopathic remedies involve crushing the placenta into a fine powder and putting it into a liquid. The liquid is then dried and put into pills that are taken orally. Placenta homeopathic remedies are often used to treat postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Advantages of placenta homeopathic remedies include that you can choose exactly how many pills you take at a time and they are relatively inexpensive. Disadvantages include that they are not regulated by the FDA and can be difficult to find a practitioner to do them.

5. Placenta Art

Placenta art is a creative way to preserve the placenta and display it in a creative and artistic way. With placenta art, the placenta is dehydrated, framed, and then turned into an art piece that is usually hung on the wall. Advantages of placenta art include being a beautiful way to remember the placenta and an interesting conversation starter. Disadvantages include that it may be difficult to find someone to do it and it is expensive.

6. Placenta Burial

Placenta burial is a ceremonial way of honoring the placenta and returning it to the earth. There are several ways to do a placenta burial, including burying it in the ground, planting a tree with it, or burning it. Placenta burial is great for people who want to connect with the earth and are interested in ceremonial, spiritual practices. It is important to note that not all states allow placenta burial. Advantages of placenta burial include being a special and meaningful way to honor the placenta and connect with the earth. Disadvantages include that it can be difficult to find a place to do it, although there are companies that can help.

7. Placenta Tree Planting

Placenta tree planting is a variation of placenta burial that involves planting a tree with the placenta and then providing information about the tree and its growth over time. Placenta tree planting is a good option for people who live in areas where placenta burial is not allowed. Advantages of placenta tree planting include that it is a meaningful and special way to connect with the earth and it can be done almost anywhere. Disadvantages include that some people may feel uneasy about planting a tree with their placenta.

8. Placenta Donation

Placenta donation involves giving away your placenta to another person to be used as a source of nutrients and hormones. There are several companies that connect people who want to donate their placenta with people who want to take it. The advantages of placenta donation include helping others who could benefit from the nutrients and hormones in the placenta. Disadvantages include being careful about finding a reputable company to donate to.

Conclusion

After a baby is born, the placenta, or afterbirth, is often seen as a forgotten part of the birthing process. However, there are a variety of options available, depending on the hospital and the parent’s wishes. For example, some hospitals offer the option to take the placenta home, while others may choose to bury or cremate it. Other methods include donating the placenta to research or having it processed into a placenta capsule. Each option has its own unique benefits and implications, and it’s important to do your research on the subject before making a decision.

FAQ’s

1. Q: What is the best way to store a placenta?

A: The best way to store a placenta is to wrap it in a clean cloth and place it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. It can also be dried and stored in a cool, dry place.

2. Q: What is the best way to bury a placenta?

A: There are several ways to do a placenta burial, including burying it in the ground, planting a tree with it, or burning it.

3. Q: What is the advantage of placenta tree planting?

A: The advantage of placenta tree planting is that it is a meaningful and special way to connect with the earth.